Chapter 314: Aurora

The soft knock on the door drew my attention from the maps spread across the table. “Come in,” I said, my voice even, though unease churned in my chest.

The door creaked open, and Piper stepped inside, her face pale, her shoulders tight. Immediately, I knew something was wrong.

“Piper,” I began, rising. “What is it?”

She hesitated, holding a folded paper tightly. “I found this,” she whispered. “It was hidden in the cache we dug up. I think… I think it’s some sort of code.”

My heart quickened with excitement as I took the paper. The symbols were strange, yet somehow familiar. My fingers shook slightly with a mixture of fear and something else as I turned it over.

“What’s it say?” I asked, my tone sharper than intended.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Piper admitted. “But it mentions someone inside the pack. Someone close.”

The weight of her words landed like a boulder. “A spy… I know, but who?” I murmured. “That could unravel everything.” I paced, my mind racing. “We have to move fast. If there’s a traitor, Orion’s forces could already know our plans.”

Piper nodded, her jaw set. “What do we do?”

“Rowan,” I said. “He’s worked with Calla’s network. He’ll know these codes faster than anyone.”

I nodded at Piper, and she rushed out, returning soon after with Rowan. Then Warrick burst in, looking stormy. “Luna,” he said, casting a dark look at Piper. “We need to talk.”

I think he’d seen Piper and Rowan and was agitated, but I couldn’t deal with it now. “Warrick, not now,” I said, my patience snapping, as I took my seat.

“It’s about them,” he insisted, nodding toward Piper and Rowan.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. If I didn’t listen, he wouldn’t let me work. I looked at Rowan, who glared back at Warrick. Rowan couldn’t be here for this.

“Very well. Rowan, attend to something else. Piper and Warrick, stay.”

Rowan hesitated, his eyes flicking to Piper, but he nodded and went out.

As soon as they left, Warrick approached. “I’m sorry, Luna… but I just can’t stand seeing them together.”

Piper grunted. “I don’t know your problem; we were working. We need Rowan’s help…”

“I would help you,” Warrick said, turning to her.

I spread the coded paper across the table, pulling out old cipher books. “Fine then, figure this out first,” I said firmly.

Piper sat on my desk, frowning in concentration. Warrick sat beside her, his eyes sometimes straying to her.

As our work paused, I heard Piper whisper, “What if we can’t stop this? What if it all falls down?”

Warrick leaned in, his voice low. “It won’t. You’re stronger than you think, Piper. The pack is stronger than you think.”

Their eyes met, and for an instant, the tension loosened. Warrick moved as if to kiss her forehead, but she turned away, her voice abruptly brisk. “We should get back to work.”

I watched in silence, disappointed, but said nothing.

Finally, Warrick gasped, his finger hovering over symbols. “Wait… this matches!”

“What?” I leaned in, my heart pounding.

He flipped through a cipher book, aligning the symbols. “Here. It’s a name. It’s…” He trailed off, his face paling.

“Who is it?” I pressed, dread tightening my stomach. Piper looked up, fear in her eyes.

I shook my head, snatching the papers. I couldn’t bear the suspense.

“What?” I whispered as the papers slipped from my hand. Warrick quickly rearranged them.

“No… this can’t be… he’s my own blood… It can’t be him,” I got up and stormed out, heading to my room.

“Aurora?” Piper called, but I ignored her. I didn’t stop until I reached my room and slammed the door shut.

“Baby,” I heard Dane’s voice, and I quickly wiped away my tears and sniffed before turning to him.

“Yes?” I said, feigning a smile.

He narrowed his gaze, shifting to sit on the bed. I rushed to help him, placing a pillow behind his back.

“Are you… crying?” he asked.

I looked down and shook my head. “No… why would I cry? I’m okay,” I lied.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “It’s my body that’s weak, not my heart… I can tell when you’re not okay from afar.”

He cupped my face. “Aurora… tell me the problem.”

“A spy… an insider feeding Orion’s men information, Dane.”

Dane breathed out. “I thought as much… Is there someone you suspect?”

I kept silent, looking away. Dane took my hand, making me face him.

“I think you know this person… Am I right?” Dane asked.

I nodded. He continued, “And he’s not who you expected? Someone you trusted?”

I nodded again, tears forming. Dane gently wiped them away with his thumb.

“Rowan? Warrick? Evelyn? Piper? Trajan? Joclyn? Me?” Dane listed, and I remained silent, pressing my eyes shut.

“There’s still one you haven’t mentioned,” I said.

“Who?” Dane asked, raising an eyebrow.

I locked eyes with him. “Evander.”